go back to i like firing people, i would let the market tank. you can go through them all. the 30-second ads are just devastating, and he just put the exclamation point on that 30-second ad. and i don't know how he gets around it. i think it's -- but he can win the debates. anything can happen with this much money, but my gosh, he's making it difficult for himself and he's making it tougher also for republican candidates who are trying to win in swing districts and win senate races. >>> eugene robinson, thank you. >> that was being kind. boy, ouch. >> your column -- in the "washington post" today on the chicago teachers strike. when we come back, the chair of the senate budget committee kent conrad. >> in the tank. >> that's what the romney people say. we've got a friend in joe. >> yeah, boy. >>> the only thing they can do is keep trying to bluff their way through until november. and hope that you won't call them on it. but understand, cincinnati, look, i want to work with them to reduce the deficit. i've said, you know, if the republicans, you know, need more love, if they